Wellspring Weight-Loss Program - Case Study Example

Evaluation of Wellspring Weight-Loss Program Table of Contents Table of Contents 2 Introduction 3 Food program Promoted by Wellspring weight-Loss Plan 3 How the Program Works 4 Evaluation of the Nutritional Plan 6 Evaluation of Case Histories 6 Overall Impression of the Plan 7 References 9 Introduction Weight-loss camps are increasingly becoming among the most popular programs to lose a substantial amounts of weight within a short period of time. Wellspring camp is one among other weight-loss and fitness program that is designed with the main goal of ensuring a lasting weight loss. This paper focuses on the assessment of Wellspring camps as a weight-loss program. As this paper outlines this program is designed by experts in different fields including weight-loss, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and fitness. The program is designed for campers who are taken through the weight reduction programs by experts thus campers are motivated and equipped with the right skills for a healthy living in the future after camp. Participants would therefore be able to maintain their weight and healthy living while they are away from the camps. However, this assessment finds Wellspring weight-loss program limiting in terms of provision of nutritional varieties and age limits for campers. It targets teenagers and young adults and also advocates for zero fat foods which may not be practical. Moreover camp charges are high starting from $6100 for 3 weeks and children must be accompanied by parents. Food program Promoted by Wellspring weight-Loss Plan Wellspring weight-loss program focuses on; diet, activities, clinical, educational, involvement of the family, elaborate token economy and aftercare. Wellspring diet consist mainly of three meals per day and two snacks with very low fat and calorie levels of about 7% percent (Kirschenbaum, 2005). Protein and fiber levels are relatively higher consisting of >50grams and >30 grams respectively (Kirschenbaum, 2005). The meals are also made from a variety of foods thus accommodates different tastes and preferences including vegetarians. During meals campers can consume as much or less of uncontrolled meals as they want. They include fat free sources of protein such as tuna fish, salads, fruits, condiments. The well controlled calorie intake is also coupled with a wider range of activities that eventually help campers manage their weight effectively. However, zero fat targets is not a good idea since the body requires fat in the diet for absorption of fat soluble vitamins (ADEK) and other important body functions. Campers normally wear pedometers to help them in monitoring their steps and where each target a thousand steps in a day. Other activities and sports are also available for those who can’t run or jog e.g. dances, active video games, rafting, hikes, canoeing, yoga and kayaking. Clinical sessions consist of four sessions of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) done by doctoral or masters level therapists. The CBI normally focuses on self-monitoring, decisional counseling, goal setting, stress management, rational emotive therapy and the general planning for a long term change in individuals’ lifestyle (Kirschenbaum, 2011). In this regard, wellspring program focuses on long term weight management wholesomely rather than on short term. There are also educational sessions including culinary and nutritional classes and those who put high effort and engagement are rewarded during weekly summit meetings (Kirschenbaum, 2011). Wellspring program also acknowledges the importance of family involvement. In this respect, the program includes workshop sessions through which families get a chance to attend simulation of wellspring lifestyle. These simulations include the overall weight-loss science and the role played by family such as critical parenting techniques. The program also offer internet based aftercare program through which individuals can interact with therapists and discussions with their peers. The nature of variations in several camps is very important since it caters for different individuals with different needs. How the Program Works The wellspring Weight-loss program was based mainly on the idea of camps. The designer of this program believes that a long term weight control can be achieved effectively through camps thus developed several camps. However, due to different demands and intervention periods, wellspring program developed boarding schools which are exclusively for teenagers who are overweight. Wellspring program consist nine camps located in different parts of the United States and the UK and charges different fees: Pennsylvania ($6800), Florida ($5900), Wisconsin ($6400), New York ($6400), Texas (6100), la Jolla ($7500), Wellspring family camps ($13485), Wellspring women’s camp ($7895) and wellspring UK ($4700) all for a 3 weeks program (Kirschenbaum, 2011). The camps charges different fees depending on the duration of stay (3-9 weeks) and the type of camp. Family programs and women’s programs are the most expensive of the wellspring camps due to the fact that children camp with their parents. Wellsprings camps are characterized by different adventures mainly out-door and are believed to improve on bonding and support, the characteristics necessary for weight-loss. An example is Wellspring California in which campers are involved in outdoor activities throughout the entire summer. The largest camp is in New York and includes young women and girls as campers going through a 3, 6 or 9 week program and pays $6400, $9100, $11750 respectively (Kirschenbaum, 2011). Other camps that are not adventure are located on college or private schools thus Wellspring Weight-loss program is more diverse and caters for several needs and can accommodate different diverse population with unique needs. While Wellspring boarding schools operate more like the camps, they also integrate the focus of the students on weight loss throughout their course of study thus takes longer time interventions compared to camps (4 months to 8 months) and are more fruitful than the shorter ones in long term weight control (Kirschenbaum, 2011). Evaluation of the Nutritional Plan Wellspring Program’s nutrition plan is mainly characterized by low calorie and low-fat diet coupled with high fiber and protein diet. The plan also includes three meals and two snacks that have been designed by the professional dieticians on a daily basis. Generally, wellspring nutritional plan focuses on achieving 50grams of protein, 10 grams of fat, 30 grams of fiber and 1200 calories (Kirschenbaum, 2011). This nutrition plan also allows campers to eat certain “uncontrolled foods’’ as much as they desire provided that they are able to monitor food intake through food journals. These uncontrolled foods are mainly foods that are very low in fats and calories such as egg salad, fat free soups, vegetables, fat-free yoghurts, salads, cottage cheese and fruits (Kirschenbaum, 2011). This nutrition plan also requires campers to account for everything that they eat by recording all the meals, quantities and the levels of activities. This information is very important as it would form the basis for behavioral change when they meet their coach. Wellspring nutrition plan is therefore a long term weight management plan since it aims at reducing calorie and fat which are the major nutrients that contribute to overweight. However aiming zero fat intakes is not a good idea since our body need fats as carrier for fat soluble vitamins. Pounds of weight are effectively lost when the amount of calorie taken is less than the amount of calorie burnt thus a balanced diet focusing on calorie intake is most desirable. Evaluation of Case Histories One case history of wellspring weight-loss plan can be traced to the first class of students who were enrolled for at least two semesters in Academy of Sierras. They consist of 7 girls and 8 boys admitted in 2004 with average weight of 273 pounds, BMI of 43.1, 14.9 years old on average and were 100% overweight (Braet et al 2004). This study monitored the weights and heights of the teenagers before, during and after the academy in collaboration with healthcare providers and parents. The results showed that the students had gained weight significantly in prior years to admission but lost a lot of weight while at Academy of Sierras and maintained the loss for a period of 10 months after discharge. This study also states that the students improved from 100% overweight to below 30% overweight, in fitness as well as emotional functioning (Braet et al 2004). This is a sound weight loss because the participants of the program were able to maintain such weight loss after leaving the academy. The second reason is that the result of the weight loss was accompanied with improved physical fitness and general behavioral activities. This can be attributed to two features of this weight-loss program; cognitive behavioral therapy and self-monitoring which are crucial to long term weight management. Overall Impression of the Plan The major strengths of wellspring weight loss plan as compared to other weight loss programs are the integrations of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Self-monitoring and continuing care for participants who are no longer campers. Moreover, the program emphasizes on the long term and consistent self-monitoring of activities and food intakes, zero target on fat intake, long term support for individuals and involvement of the family. All these aspects can only be achieved effectively through close monitoring of patients by experts. Wellspring camps provide services of nutrition and fitness experts as well experts in psychology of weight loss (Braet et al 1994). However wellspring camps target teenagers and young adults and may not be ideal for adults of all ages especially those who need luxurious spa environment. Another disadvantage of wellspring camp is the limitation of diet to low or zero fat diet. Fats play important role in human body such as absorption of fat soluble vitamins and other body functions (Haddock et al 1994). I would only recommend this program to teenagers and young adults for a period of not more than 4 weeks mainly because of its strong focus on nutritional psychology and cognitive behavioral therapy. Nutritional plan has t be adjusted to cater for other nutritional needs while focusing on weight-loss at the same time. Conclusions and Recommendations Wellspring weight loss program outlines a comprehensive weight management plan that caters for weight loss in the long term. The evidence from follow-ups of all x-campers shows consistency in almost all the camps under this program. I would therefore recommend this program to other people mainly because of the long term weight loss impact. This program does not only helps individuals to lose weight but helps them to understand the underlying issues about weight management such as diet, activity, cognitive behavioral therapy, education, involvement of the family, self-monitoring and online continuing care after the academy. Moreover, this program provides a viable alternative for the successful management of pediatric obesity thus important for teens, children and their family members. It is also important to note that most programs that are effective in weight-loss do not incorporate follow up aftercare and cognitive behavioral therapy which are critical for long term weight-loss. I would however recommend for the review of zero fat target to low fat since fat is needed by our body in small amounts. References Braet, C., Tanghe, A., Decaluwe, V., Moens, E. & Rosseel Y. (2004). Inpatient treatment for children with obesity: weight loss, psychological wellbeing, and eating behavior. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, Vol. 29, 519-529 Haddock, C. K., Shadish, W. R., Klesges, R. C. & Stein, R. J. (1994). Treatments for childhood and adolescent obesity. Ann Behav Med.Vol16, 235-244 Kirschenbaum, D. S. (2005). Very low fat diets are superior to low carbohydrate diets. Patient Care, 39: 47-55 Kirschenbaum, D. S. (2011). The Wellspring Weight Loss Plan: The Simple, Scientific & Sustainable Approach of the Worlds Most Successful Weight Loss Programs for Overweight Young People and How You Can Achieve Lifelong Success With It. New York: BenBella. Read More